Deaton, is a Constitution Party candidate who on Tuesday said the indictment was politically motivated. During a news conference at the law offices of Rion and Rion on Wednesday , Deaton said he is fortunate to live in a country where he can defend himself against the charge. He intends to remain in the Senate race.
Perry Twp. Police investigated the allegations and Chief Bob Bowman said evidence includes an audio tape of Deaton admitting to the girl that he had sexual contact with her, and receipts from multiple visits to a Moraine motel. The girl is now an adult.
Police learned of the allegations in October from the Rev. Phil Reynolds, pastor of Bear Creek Church of the Brethren.
Deaton was a church elder and had mentored the girl, then 15 and also a church member. Deaton allegedly engaged in sexual intercourse with the girl on multiple occasions in Perry Twp. and in Moraine, Bowman said.
“The young woman came to me and told me the story. I’m a mandatory reporter. Our denomination has some very strict guidelines about protecting children,” Reynolds said.
Reynolds said Deaton resigned as an elder on the church board at the end of 2009 to run for the U.S. Senate . Since Deaton did not have direct responsibility for children when he was on the board he was not asked to resign after the allegations were made, Reynolds said.
Deaton is a registered leader of the Cub Scouts and will not be permitted to continue in that capacity, said Ken Wade, executive director of the Miami Valley Council-Boy Scouts of America .
Attorney Jon Paul Rion said Deaton passed a lie detector test administered through the law office. “That shows these allegations are not true,” Rion said.
Rion said the evidence that authorities have collected will be used to prove Deaton’s innocence. Rion said the timing of the indictment so close to the election is “suspicious.”
Deaton will be arraigned in Montgomery County Common Pleas Court on Sept. 14 and the trial is unlikely to occur before the Nov. 2 election, Rion said.
Bowman said collecting evidence in the investigation took time and there was no political motivation involved. Deaton is running for the seat being vacated by U.S. Sen. George Voinovich, R-Ohio. The other candidates are: Democrat Lee Fisher, Republican Rob Portman, Socialist Daniel H. LaBotz, independent Michael Pryce and write-in candidate Arthur T. Sullivan .
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-7455 or lhulsey@DaytonDailyNews.com.
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